Turchi means the Northland in zvagah and lies north of the Dragon Ocean. The country borders both the Land of Ice and the Land of Shadows to the east. Turchi has a long coastline consisting typically of treacherous cliffs, and the inland comprise of towering mountains and deep gorges. There are no forests here, but some patches of mountain birch in the southern regions. Turchi is a cold land with long, harsh winters and short chilly summers. It is nevertheless a rich country as it has more than enough precious metals and rocks.
The capitol of Turchi is called Wirchu and rests on the south cape of the country. It is a large town with over 50 000 inhabitants. Wirchu is a seaport with view of the Dragon Ocean and is the face of Turchi towards the world. Wirchu is also called the Golden City, and justly, as all streets and house roofs are covered with gold. The people that live here are the richest in the country. Here the Houses of Princes reside, but also a considerable number of tradesmen. The king too has his castle here.
One day travel north of Wirchu you can find Ba’Illchu. This is the main seat of the Order of the Dragon, and at least 6000 men and women always dwell here.
Farther north you can find many mining villages, although none can confidently state how many live there, since most of them are under the surface, and few ever visit them.
History
They presume that there has always lived people here, and that the humans that did live here where divided into different clans called the Mountain Striders. It says in the books of history that the foundation of the country was established in these tribewars, where the victorious tribe became superior to the others. This is supposed to have happened some time early in the 2nd Age of the Sun. And the chief of the victorious tribe is believed to have taken the title King of Turchi, although the certainty of the fact is disputed. The only certain fact is that the founder the Order of the Dragon, Ad’Dycos named his great grandfather the founder of Turchi, and his father King of Turchi. Confidently the Order of the Dragon was established in the year 173 in the 2nd age of the Sun.
Turchi has been in war with TurSikos numerous times through the years, typically because of religious and political issues, and the greatest of these wars is commonly referred to as the Dragon Wars in the books of legend. For the last two millennia peace has held sway between the countries, although their differences are countless.
Population
Men living here are tall, strong and sturdy. They have blond hair and blue, grey or grey- green eyes. There is still some people of darker hue and slimmer shape because their close connection with Darkland.
The Race of Men here is often considered as vigorous, sometimes reckless, but they are still thought of as clever when needed. They are also well read, and many of them are religious.
In Turchi the community is divided in different social classes, with a working class, a middle class with traders and servants and the upper class. There is still nothing stopping people from intermingling when it comes to marriage, except that the highest class has to demote to a lower class. A count will therefore loose his title if he marries a woman from the middle class.
In addition to the common Turchian, you have the munks and priests of the Order of the Dragon, the Dragon Women and the Mountain Striders.
The Dragon Women also function as the Turchian army, in addition to a branch of the Order of the Dragon. But if a war should arise the Dragon Munks will also become a part of it.
The Mountain Striders are a people we know little of. They are equal to the common Turchian, and some mean they are descendants of the first people that came to the land, but that was later forced up in the mountains and northward when gold was found in the country. The only times they are sighted is when they come south in winter to trade with pelts and furs.
Besides Men, Dragons also dwell in Turchi. Far to the north you may find a colony of Snowdragons, while in the south mountains some Red Dragons have settled.
Governing
The King and his advisers has all power in Turchi, and under them the Queen, the crown prince/ crown princess and their advisers. Nonetheless there is a Council of the Land in Turchi. It was established by the King to make the most favourable decisions for the country. Two representatives for each social class are in the Council. They are chosen every decade, and speak their class’ cause before the King. The Council also makes sure the laws and regulations the King acknowledges are realized.
Religion
The Dragonbelief is the only religion in Turchi. This means that anyone suspected of having a different faith or fail to honour the dragons, are thrown in the ocean, expelled, killed or imprisoned.
Special laws, customs and rules
It is forbidden to bring more gold than for “personal use” out of the country, as this is considered as part of the country, like the earth, rock etc.. If you want to bring more overseas, a special permit with the King’s sign has to be obtained.
Translated by Kerluen